Wichita Bicycle Master Plan

Get Involved

You can stay updated about the Wichita Bicycle Master Plan in the following ways:
   1. Check out this website for the latest information
   2. Check the City of Wichita Facebook page 
   3. Register for project updates using the myWichita e-subscriptions service at www.wichita.gov.

Project Documents

Study Network: The comments received from the public and committees have been used to create the Study Network for the City of Wichita. The Study Network shows the roadways that will be inventoried and assessed by the Planning Team for future bicycle facilities (including on and off-street facilities). It is important to note that the Study Network shows the roadways for evaluation. Following the evaluation, routes may be removed or alternatives added to the recommended network for inclusion in the Plan.

Study Network Map NE
Study Network Map NW
Study Network Map SE
Study Network Map SW

Draft Review of Existing Plans and Policies: This document provides a review of city, county, and regional level plans; and City of Wichita policies and regulations that address bicycling both on and off-street. The purpose of this review is to establish a baseline for bicycle improvements in Wichita. This document is one of many that will ultimately be drawn upon for the creation of the final Plan. This document is currently in draft format. It will be updated and republished in an enhanced visual format prior to the completion of the planning process.

Draft - Review of Existing Plans and Policies

Project Description

The Wichita Bicycle Master Plan (Plan) will be a guide for the City of Wichita, identifying the community needs, vision, and future goals related to bicycling in the City. It will also identify the prioritized implementation actions necessary to help realize the vision.

Project Overview/Bicycle Facilities Definitions

Committees and Planning Team

Two committees have been formed in order to help ensure that the Wichita Bicycle Master Plan meets the needs of our community. In addition to the committees, a planning team has been created to staff the planning process.

Below are brief descriptions of each committee and the planning team:

Steering Committee: this committee helps to guide the process, develop the plan, and ultimately endorse/approve the final draft for presentation to the Wichita City Council. The majority of Steering Committee members are citizens who have volunteered to assist with this project. Three of the Steering Committee members represent public organizations. There are many ways that the Steering Committee members will be involved in the process, including the following.

• participate in a minimum of six (6) Steering Committee meetings 
• assist with project oversight to ensure that this civic initiative accomplishes its purpose on time and within the budget
• assist in the development of plan goals and objectives
• assist in the review and development of a comprehensive network of bicycle facilities
• review and recommend policies and programs
• help develop criteria for setting priorities;
• review and provide input on implementation strategies
• assist with the two (2) public open house events

07-19-2011 Steering Committee Agenda     07-19-2011 Steering Committee Minutes
07-20-2011 Steering Committee Agenda     07-20-2011 Steering Committee Minutes
10-03-2011 Steering Committee Agenda     10-03-2011 Steering Committee Minutes

Technical Advisory Committee: This committee consists of City of Wichita staff members. This committee assists with the plan development by providing technical expertise and internal review of materials related to the plan. The Technical Advisory Committee generally consists of representatives from City departments that are responsible for planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and policing public bicycle facilities.

Planning Team: This team consists of Planning Department staff and staff from Toole Design Group. The Planning Team is responsible for organizing the meetings and events; data collection; technical analysis; and writing the Plan document.

The Planning Process

On October 4th more than 178 people participated in the Wichita Bicycle Master Plan Open House. Participants provided important input on Plan objectives, priorities, future facilities and other Plan elements. The Open House included a series of listening stations where individuals provided written and verbal comments. In addition, it included a presentation on the planning process and examples of bicycle facilities from communities around the United States. Opening remarks were made by Council Members James Clendenin and Lavonta Williams.

Toole Design Group Presentation
Open House Notes - October 4 

Related Information

Bicycling in the Air Capitol
This is the City of Wichita webpage with general information about bicycling in the Air Capital.

Wichita Bicycle Ordinances
The Wichita Bicycle Ordinance regulations apply to any bicycle operated on any sidewalk, street, highway, public park, playground, or other property-owned or under the jurisdiction of the city or its agencies. Laws regarding Bicycles can be found in City Ordinance 11.48.

Wichita Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan
The Wichita Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan is a guide for the provision of parks, open spaces, recreation, and paths/trails by the City of Wichita.

Project Downtown: Downtown Master Plan
Project Downtown is the downtown master plan for the City of Wichita. It guides development, the provision of infrastructure, and the provision of municipal services within downtown.

Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Pathways Plan
The WAMPO Pathways Plan provides an assessment of existing bicycle/pedestrian facilities and identifies, prioritizes, and recommends future connecting links for bicycle/pedestrian use within the WAMPO planning area (including the City of Wichita).

Metropolitan Transportation Plan 2035
The Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) 2035 is the blueprint for all regionally significant transportation projects and activities through 2035. It is a 25 year strategic plan for maintaining and improving mobility within and through the region. The MTP 2035 is very important for the region because it allows local jurisdictions access to federal transportation funds. It also provides recommendations and strategies to achieve a safe, efficient, accessible, and affordable transportation system.

Sedgwick County Parks and Pathways Plan
The Sedgwick County parks and Pathways Plan is the currently adopted guide for the development of bicycle facilities within unincorporated Sedgwick County. This plan was adopted as a joint City of Wichita and Sedgwick County Plan. However, the City replaced this plan with the 2008 Wichita PROS Plan.

Wichita-Sedgwick County Comprehensive Plan
The Wichita-Sedgwick County Comprehensive Plan serves as the overall guide for the City of Wichita and Sedgwick Count. It is important for the proposed Wichita Bicycle Master Plan in many ways, especially because it identifies the 2030 Future Growth Area for the City of Wichita.

Wichita Citizen Survey
In 2006, the City of Wichita initiated a citizen survey to discover how City residents rated various services offered by the City and the conditions within the City. The ease of bicycle travel was one of the community characteristics rated.

The City of Wichita also conducted a 2010 Citizen Survey. This survey showed that the ease of bicycle travel in the City of Wichita was one of the three least positive ratings by the citizens of Wichita.

Map of Existing and Planned Bicycle Trails and Paths
Staff have compiled a map of existing and planned bicycle paths and trails. The planned facilities are based on an interpretation of the adopted plans.

Subdivision Regulations
The division and improvement of lands within Wichita or portions of unincorporated Sedgwick County must comply with the Wichita-Sedgwick County Subdivision Regulations. The Subdivision Regulations regulate many elements of the physical environment, including parking and street designs.

Back to Top